Thursday, May 23 2013 2:51 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:51:07 GMT
Crews are responding to a garbage truck that caught fire off Shelburne Road in Shelburne, Vt. According to the Shelburne Fire Department, something in the back of a Casella Waste truck caught fire. TheMore >>
Crews are responding to a garbage truck that caught fire off Shelburne Road in Shelburne, Vt.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:04 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:04:40 GMT
The N.H. Senate is expected to take up a bill Thursday to legalize medical marijuana in the state. According to the legislation HB573, it would allow patients with cancer, glaucoma, positive status forMore >>
The N.H. Senate is expected to take up a bill Thursday to legalize medical marijuana in the state.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:34 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:34:26 GMT
The Essex Fire Department and Vermont Gas are currently investigating the smell of propane at the Edge Fitness Center in Essex, Vt.FOX44 and ABC22 reporter Michael Page says they haven't found anythingMore >>
The Essex Fire Department and Vermont Gas are currently investigating the smell of propane at the Edge Fitness Center in Essex, Vt.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 16:22:39 GMT
The annual Spring Move Out Project in Burlington Thursday. The project allows you to get rid of unwanted, but still usable household goods. You can bring clothes, books, furniture, household items, andMore >>
The annual Spring Move Out Project is being held in Burlington Thursday.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:40:21 GMT
If you're planning on traveling this holiday weekend, you're not alone. According to AAA, more than 30 million Americans will be on the roadways. On average, they'll also be driving at least 50 miles forMore >>
If you're planning on traveling this holiday weekend, you're not alone.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:31:51 GMT
Each year between 5 and 7 million animals enter a shelter. Purina Cat Chow is trying to offset some of those costs. The company is donating $200,000 to 50 shelters and that's where you come in. A quickMore >>
Each year between 5 and 7 million animals enter a shelter. Purina Cat Chow is trying to offset some of those costs. More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:54 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:54:39 GMT
Two sides of the law are working together in order to keep the peace at the border. Vermont State Police an Quebec's Provincial Police met to address the challenges of policing at the border in a specialMore >>
Two sides of the law are working together in order to keep the peace at the border.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:13 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:13:33 GMT
New details in an officer involved shooting that happened in Danville, Vt. last year.In September, 36-year-old William Mahoney was shot by a state trooper. This after police say he stole a vehicle andMore >>
New details in an officer involved shooting that happened in Danville, Vt. last year.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:21 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:21:15 GMT
The Colchester Police Department is responding to a sink hole in the area of East Road near the intersection of Austin House Road. Police say the sink hole has closed down one lane of travel.Police areMore >>
The Colchester Police Department is responding to a sink hole in the area of East Road near the intersection of Austin House Road.More >>
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:44 GMT
Nearly two years ago, Deborah Drewniak's family wasn't sure if she would be around after being severely injured in a texting and driving accident. Instead of focusing on herself, Drewniak wants to helpMore >>
A Vermont woman seriously injured by a teen, who was texting and driving, is trying to share her story with as many people as she can.More >>
MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Starting Monday, Sprint customers can send emergency text messages to 911.
A press release says this a 4 month test to see the potential of this technology.
"We learned a lot from the original text to 911 trial in Vermont, including that this new technology can save lives," David Tucker, Executive Director of the Enhanced 911 Board, said. "The fact that a large number of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing already use Sprint as their preferred carrier means we will be better able to provide access for that population to the Vermont 911 system as a result of this trial with Sprint."
Tucker says there are different parameters that the public should be aware of before sending in emergency text messages to 911:
• Customers should use the texting option only when a voice call to 911 is not an option. Text messaging is considered a "best efforts" service and there is no guarantee a text message will be sent, delivered or received in a timely manner, if at all.
• Sending a text to 911 may take longer than a voice call because someone must enter the text, send it through the system and then the 911 call taker has to enter a text response and send it back. Time is critical in a life-threatening emergency, and customers should be aware of this difference.
• Providing location information and the nature of the emergency in the first message is imperative. The Williston PSAP will not be able to access the cell phone location or speak with the person who is sending the text, and will need to convey the texter's location to local first responders.
• Text abbreviations and slang should never be used so that the intent of the dialog can be as clear as possible.
• Customers must be in range of cell towers in Vermont. If customers are outside or near the edge of the state, the message may not reach the Williston PSAP.
• Texts to 911 have the same 160 character limit as other text messages.
• Sprint Wireless customers must have mobile phones that are capable of sending text messages.
• The texting function should only be used for emergency situations that require a response from police, fire or emergency medical services. Consumers are reminded this is part of an experimental trial to evaluate a new technology and, in the event of an actual emergency, should also consider alternate forms of contacting 911.
Text messages sent to 911 will be routed to the Williston Public
Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
VT Sprint Customers Can Send Text Messages to 911More>>
